Latest news with #ChuckDavidson
Winnipeg Free Press
01-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba sets example on trade: CFIB
Manitoba is maintaining its position as a national leader on internal trade, a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business finds. The keystone province received an 'A-' from the CFIB in its State of Internal Trade report, released Monday. Only Nova Scotia and Ontario scored higher, with each province earning an 'A.' (Manitoba had topped last year's list with an 'A-.') Ryan Mallough, CFIB vice-president of legislative affairs and communications, said, generally speaking, the organization has seen positive action across the country in the last year. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, believes Manitoba is heading in the right direction with regards to internal trade. More progress has been made on removing trade barriers within Canada in the past six months than in eight years since the Canadian Free Trade Agreement was signed. 'This year's blown other years out of the water, in terms of progress,' Mallough said, noting the contentious trade relationship between Canada and the U.S. in recent months has given political urgency to internal trade. According to the CFIB, Manitoba sets a strong example by permitting direct-to-consumer alcohol shipments and through Bill 47, its new Fair Trade in Canada Act, which simplifies recognition of goods and services from other provinces. Manitoba has also signed agreements with Ontario and British Columbia to accelerate recognition of goods, services and professional credentials. Despite Manitoba's improvements, challenges remain, per a CFIB news release. Issues such as duplicate regulations, slow approval timelines and a lack of trade-enabling infrastructure continue to hamper the movement of goods, services and labour. The CFIB critiqued the Fair Trade in Canada Act for excluding labour mobility — a point echoed by Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The more provinces and territories do to make the rules that regulate workers consistent, the better, he said. Manitoba's position as an internal trade leader is 'a good sign,' Davidson said in response to the CFIB report. 'We're heading in the right direction.' Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses said the province already has a labour mobility act, and addressing labour mobility in Bill 47 would have created red tape. 'Our bill is very much in line with breaking down barriers for Manitoba businesses to reach markets right across the country,' Moses said. Manitoba Progressive Conservative finance critic Lauren Stone was not available for comment Monday. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Looking ahead, Mallough said Manitoba can improve by implementing its mutual recognition legislation. Seven different jurisdictions in Canada are taking seven different approaches to mutual recognition, he added, so the CFIB is cautious in its optimism. The premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney have instructed the Committee on Internal Trade to reach a pan-Canadian mutual recognition agreement for December — and the CFIB will be watching those conversations closely. 'Everybody seems to want to get this done and that's what has been the most encouraging over these last six months,' Mallough said. 'At the same time … we want to make sure we don't lose that political momentum. We have not crossed the goal line yet.' Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Manitoba records first interprovincial migration increase in over 20 years: StatsCan
For the first time since 2004, Manitoba had a net increase in interprovincial migration, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. Data for the first quarter of 2025 shows 4,352 people moved from another province to Manitoba, while 4,246 left the province. This is the first time since the first quarter of 2004 that Manitoba had a positive migration number, when the difference was plus seven. Chuck Davidson, the president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said this is a positive revelation, but it's important to read into what is driving the numbers. 'My take on this would be that the last couple of months have been extremely challenging for businesses, and with everything that's been happening south of the border and that uncertainty with the tariffs and trade, what's really been happening is businesses have been in a bit of a holding pattern,' said Davidson. He noted the uncertainty doesn't create the best timing for moving and looking for other jobs in other provinces. Despite that, Davidson said there is an opportunity to build off of this influx, even if it is just 106 people. 'What we've heard repeatedly is that we need to do a better job in Manitoba of talking about the opportunities that exist here. We know that we have world-class companies. We know that there are opportunities for young people to have a career,' said Davidson. As businesses sit in that holding pattern that Davidson mentioned, he did note the trade war with the U.S. could spark positives for Manitoba. The first is that the current situation is showing people both in and outside of Manitoba that there are a variety of options available in the province. 'There's greater stability in Manitoba than there is in a lot of other jurisdictions,' he said. Manitoba has a diverse economy that ranges from agriculture and manufacturing to critical minerals, Davidson said. 'If someone's looking for a more stable job environment, I think Manitoba can obviously be looked at as a positive from that perspective. When you take into account, as well, things like cost of living - those are things that are positive.' The other positive - governments looking at removing interprovincial trade barriers, which is designed to create projects across Canada that have national interest, Davidson said. 'If we're looking at some larger projects, that could be instrumental in attracting workers again.' Davidson said the most important thing is to continue to build off the momentum of the first quarter and try to turn this into a trend instead of a one-off. 'It's continuing to tell those stories. It's continuing to be vocal about what those opportunities are right here in Manitoba.'
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Manitobans bracing for looming Canada Post strike
With a Canada Post strike looming, CTV's Michelle Gerwing reports on the impact it could have. Canada is potentially days away from a country-wide postal stoppage -- again. The union representing Canada Post employees issued a strike notice, and Thursday could be the last day you get mail for awhile. Here in Manitoba, this means shipping anything could cost more, take longer, and some rural customers may not even be able to get parcels. The importance of mail Storm Anderson thought her phone and wallet were gone for good after she lost them in February. However, she unexpectedly got them back in the mail on May 3. She suspects someone found her belongings and dropped them loosely into a Canada Post letter box. 'I think that was pretty awesome that they'd do that, because I know that there was no postage on it, obviously,' she said. 'So, for them to do that just as a nice gesture. I'm very grateful to them.' The impact of a strike These types of gestures may be disrupted if Canada Post workers hit the picket lines. It's the second time in six months as May 22 marks the end of the extension which sent postal workers back on the job last Christmas. Amid the uncertainty, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce's Chuck Davidson says his organization and many other businesses are going digital and shopping for other shippers that may be more reliable -- even if it costs more. 'That's the difficulty that I feel Canada Post is in by any kind of a lengthy strike. What you're doing is you're opening up for a different competition, but you're also opening up that business,' he said. 'They're going to be looking elsewhere for how they how they move those goods.' Small businesses may face struggles In some cases, like a small rural business or customer in Manitoba, private delivery companies aren't a solution. 'They don't have the staff; they don't have the trucks. They, often rely on Canada Post for that last few miles,' said John Graham with the Retail Council of Canada's Prairies office. There is still time for a deal to be reached as another offer from the employer is expected on Wednesday. The union says negotiation sticking points are wage increases, changes to pensions, weekend delivery and the hiring of part time staff , adding that they fear Canada Post is being turned into a gig job, not a good government job with pay and benefits. Canada Post says the corporation is in trouble and the union is resisting change.
